First Season Woes

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shavoc81

Member
May 3, 2025
6
Omaha
Pool Size
25000
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-15
Had quick training on it, only ran 1 day last year (late install) and now the problems start (at least i hope they're easily solveable).

We have a 40' exquisite pool (integrate spa). Drains, left to right:

spa return (from heater -> filter)
spa main drain (to spa pump -> cartridge filter)
slide (under deep skimmer [red valve])
deep skimmer -> 3 way actuator
main drain -> pool pump
shallow skimmer -> pool pump -> sand filter)
pool return (from swg/heater/sand filter)

It took me awhile to undertand about 90% of this setup. Still confused on a few things.

Current issues:

  1. heater not really getting that hot for spa - just cleaned filter (wasn't bad)
  2. I turn on spa mode and spa overflows
  3. It has a separate spillway mode too (assuming that pulls from deep skimmer based on the actuator actdion when i start up spillway mode)
  4. Spa Air Control Valve is full of water (tried to blow it out but just refills) Moved water below the jets before i blew it out
  5. Unsure if I should have the spa drain open at all unless i'm trying to isolate it for maintenance or something? I read during normal operations, leave spa drain closed.
Any expert insights would be very welcome. It's our first season with this bad boy and kids are anxious already. Thanks ahead of time.
 

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Welcome to TFP.

Why aren't you working with your builder to fix your problems? You have some strange plumbing.

What automation controls do you have?

heater not really getting that hot for spa - just cleaned filter (wasn't bad)
Click to expand...
I see an UltraTemp HP and a Rheem electric heater on the spa pump. Which heater is being run and what are the two heaters for?

I cannot clearly see your filter and pipes, the HP water in and where it comes from, or where your return pipes are. You need to post more pictures from various angles.
 
I agree. I feel like someone unboxed things and put it on the pad and they just hooked it up where they sat. Took me awhile to understand most of it. (I am working with them they are just slow to respond, busy opening other pools, etc... and i genuinely want to know these things instead of relying on someone else to fix it - i realize i can't fix everything myself)

Rheem = Spa (checked flow rate on it, it's above the 15 (at 34 gpm)
UltraTemp = Pool - pool heats fine


SPA layout (everything left of actuator [red valve inlet])
I'll focus on this cuz it's really the only problem i'm having

I've marked up the photo let me know if you have other questions:

Pool Flow:
POOL -> MAIN DRAIN/SHALLOW SKIMMER -> POOL PUMP -> SAND FILTER -> Ultra Temp -> SWG -> RETURN TO POOL

Spa Flow:
SPA -> SPA DRAIN -> SPA PUMP -> RHEEM HEATER -> CLEAN AND CLEAR Cartridge Filter -> RETURN TO SPA

ACTUATOR:
Pegged to right unless I have spillway on... then pulls from Deep End Drain (Deep Skimmer/red valve) to help overflow the spa


image.png
 
If you are unhappy with the heat your spa gets from the Rheem heater, talk to your builder. Electric spa heaters are rarely used. They don't have the BTU capacity to heat a spa rapidly like a gas heater, especially in the northern latitudes.

What automation controls do you have?

When you turn on SPA mode the pump should suction from the spa and return to the spa. There should be no flow from the pool suction or returns. I have no diea what the flow is from the marked picture you posted.

In SPILLWAY mode the pump should suction from the pool and return to the spa. I have npo diea how your system does that.
 
If you are unhappy with the heat your spa gets from the Rheem heater, talk to your builder. Electric spa heaters are rarely used. They don't have the BTU capacity to heat a spa rapidly like a gas heater, especially in the northern latitudes.

- That's in the works

What automation controls do you have?

Main Pool Pump (activates heater - but manually set on heater)
Slide -> Actuator in middle back of picture - pulls form pool (after pump/before filter)
Spa -> Activate Spa Pump (activates Rheem heater - but manually set on heater)
Spillway -> Turns the actuator to the left, allow water to flow from (presumably) deep skimmer to the spa lines instead of to the pool lines

When you turn on SPA mode the pump should suction from the spa and return to the spa. There should be no flow from the pool suction or returns. I have no diea what the flow is from the marked picture you posted.

I turn on spa, it activates the spa pump -> flow detected on heater (rheem) so heat turns on -> clean and clear filter -> spa return. I do not understand how... if I have the spa drain on, spa on, how it's overflowing i'd assume it's closed loop there.

Maybe actuator not closing all the way? Not sure.


In SPILLWAY mode the pump should suction from the pool and return to the spa. I have npo diea how your system does that.
Actuator flips to the left from deep skimmer, instead of deep skimmer to pool it goes deep skimmer to spa
 
With SPA not heating, i just realized that the filter is after the heater in the chain, is that normal? Seems to me the heated water would sit in the cartridge filter (losing heat) then get pushed out the return.
 
shavoc81 said:
With SPA not heating, i just realized that the filter is after the heater in the chain, is that normal? Seems to me the heated water would sit in the cartridge filter (losing heat) then get pushed out the return.
Click to expand...
That is not normal.

Your whole spa plumbing setup is not normal.

How do you maintain chlorination and keep the spa sanitary when in use?
 
ajw22 said:
That is not normal.

Your whole spa plumbing setup is not normal.

How do you maintain chlorination and keep the spa sanitary when in use?
Click to expand...
"First season woes" figuring this system out is a nightmare, still waiting on PB at this point. Spent too much for this :/


When i was opening after they initially shocked, i just let the spillway feature work (pulls from pool to overflow spa) so it shared chems. As needed i'll turn that back on and let it cycle
 

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